Printing mechanism for accounting machines



June 30, 1.931. J. w.- BRYCE 1,812,838

PRINTING MECHANISM FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed March 2"?, 1929 4 sheets-sheet 1 5141x214 to@ June 30, 1931. J. w. BRYcl-z 1,812,838

PRINTING MECHANISM FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed March 27. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet A2 HHHHHHHHHH June 30, 1931. L w, BRYCE 1,812,838

PRINTING MECHANISM FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed March 27, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fla/Jg.

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PRINTING MECHANISM FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES F'iled4 March 27. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 vwentoz Patented June 30, 1931 UNrrsD STATES PATENT OFFICE i JAMES W. BRYCE, v]? BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE TABULATING MACHINE COMPANY, OF ENDICOTT, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY Application led March 27, 1929. Serial No. 350,379.

The present invention concerns printing mechanism for accounting machines and has for kits principal object the provision of iinvproved mechanism with positively driven vtype bars. I Y

Another object of the invention'is the provision of improved printing mechanisms `for accounting machines with devices for positively locking the type bars in printing poosition. A

Another object is to provide such printing mechanism havingone or both of the above improvements for use in connection with a record controlled accounting machine.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a printing mechanism having one or both of the above improvements and Y whichmay be electromagnetically controlled. These and other objects ofthe invention 0 will be hereinafter pointed ont in the follow- Ying description which should be read in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate several modifications of the invention and in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing printing mechanismV for a tabulator according to a preferred form of the invention, y

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the operatingparts in different positions,

k0 Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4; is a diagrammatic showing of a modilication of the invention, and

Fig.5 is a circuit diagram for a well known type of tabulator.

Thecircuit diagram in Fig. 5 is well known and will be recognized as belonging to a well known type of electric tabulator. rlhe circuit diagram is explained in detail in the copending application of C.'D. Lake, Serial No. 639,153, led May 15, 1923. 'In the present case, it will be described sufficiently to explain the cooperation betweenv the operating impulses governed by the perforated tabulating Cardsv and the improved printing mechanism forming the subject matter of the present inventiOn. The operating circuits of tlie machine are supplied from a source of power' S. During adding and listing operations the machine is driven by a tabulating motor 'IM controlled by a network of circuits and contacts designated generally at TC. Generally the tabulating motor when in operation always operates for complete cycles While the several differential mechanisms and printer operators areV driven in synchronism with the passage of tabulating cards through the machine. The tabulating cards as usual are provided with differentially located index point positions in each column and the differential locations of the perforated index points may represent the numerals from 0 to 9. VVhenthe tabulating motor TM is in operation a card feed clutch magnet CF is energized to throw in a clutch establishing driving relationship of the card feed mechanism designated generally at 200 which through a picker mechanism 201 feeds the perforated record cards shown at 202 past upper analyzing brushes 203 and lower analyzing brushes 2011. The feeding of the cards is continuous after they are once started, the feed rolls 205 carrying them y with uninterrupted motion past the upper brushes 203 and the lower brushes 2011.

Whenever the lower brushes encounter a perforation in the card, an electric impulse is established which is available at sockets 206 connected to contacts cooperating with the lowerbrushes. These contact-s are on a switch board and may be plugged to sockets 207 connected to coimtermagnets S. TWhen so connected, each differentially timed impulse from the particular card column selected energizes the countermagnet- 203 at differential times to throw in the differential mechanism and drive it for a portion of a cycle fixed by the time of occurrence of the impulse thereby entering the number represented by the index point perforation. The magnet 208 on being energized closes contacts V209 thereby substantially simultaneously closing the circuit of the printing magnet 52.

The printing magnet 52, of course, is likewise energized at different times to control the printing mechanism to effect printing of the number entered into the counter. This .listing circuit extends through contacts 209.

10 ing to Vthe'number which isv standing on the accumulator.V 1n this case the printing' circuitextends through the contacts 211,*1nagnet 52 andcontacts 1)# 2 which yare closed only during totaling. i 5 Y, Y These operations are all Well understood and need not be lfurther explained', but from this general'eXpla-nation itl Will beunderstood the numbers are actually printedv` by differentiallyl timed impulses which may result g ,211;l from moving cards passing analyzingbriishes or fromV mechanically'operated contacts which are closed by macl'iine operations' at different" times' representing the diherent numerals.

. Referring to Fig'.` y1 atype bar 10 for thetabulating machineis'gnided between slotted bars 11. At' its upper'end the type barcarries a'type head 12 inv Which are locatedten type 13 for the numerals Oto 9, the'nine type being 5C uppermost. Y platen14 is supported inproX- imity to the,v type bar so that as the rises to select different type for printing, the selected typel may be forced against the platen by the hammer 15, thety'pe being slidably supported 3v in the head 12 for this purpose.

The'ty'pe bar Vis raised once each machinecycl'e'bymeansof a crosshead 16 Which isy connected by a link 17 to an' arm 18 izied' to a rock shaft 19.V Once each cycle the shaft 19 rocks rst clockwise to raise the crossheao 16y and vthen counterclo'clnvise tolotver 1t. This mechanism is Well known and fully explained in U. S. lpatent to Lake No. 153795268, dated` 24,' 1921 and the copending*application Serial No. 639,153, filed May 15, 1923V and' as its details per se do not enter into the present invention it Will not be described further. Y A rack bar 25 is pivoted on arms 26 and 27 v which in turn are pivoted to thetype bar 10.

if? A spring 28 normally raises the rack bar to a osition limited bv a luO 29 thereon engaging u fr; r1 o 22'4 ina notch in the type bar. ft-its lower end'l the type bar carries a pivote'd lever 3Q having an extension 31 on one arm adapted to cooperate vvith'va stationary notched locking plate 34.k The lever 30 is yieldingly held With extension 31 free of the locking plate by a spring 37 Whose freeend is Vattached toga latch' 36 to be described later. The other arm of 6@ lever 30 has an'extension32 which nor-mall;7

Vvliesin the path of al ridge or extending plate 33v on the lower part of crosshead 16 so'that a-s the latter rises thetype' bar will be carried up vvithit. VThe position. of the lever 30'under 65 aetiOn of spring is limited by a Sdew-'sg extension von an arm 46 fixed to the pivot of varm 27 which supports the lowerk end'of rack bar 25.

rThe latch 36 pivoted to extensionl 35 lixed to type bar 10, and to which one end of spring 37 is attached has-a notch 40 in its end adapted to cooperatewith a shoulder 41 on lever 30. This latchiis normallyl held inoperative by a rod 42 lixed to the crosshead 16 and engaging'a' notch 43 in the latch.VV As the-shaft 19 rocks clockwise the crossheadA 16' rises and ridge thereon engages-extension 32 on lever 30 and alsoraises the type bar 10. The typebar is' arrestedin its several printing positions by a paW'l 51 controlled by the magnet v52; r1`hepavvl 51"is'norrnally latched by a latch '53,the latch being ui'igedtelatch'ing positionland thepawl 51'int`oj'theA path ofthe teeth on rack-bar 25 by a common'spring54.'v `When the .type bar 10 is in or reacheslowverl.

most posit-lona cam sur'face on rac'l-'bar 25 v forces palwl 51 into latching position and the latch53 holds untilfreleased'by the magnetv 52. Thismagn'et'asv previously explained is( 'rack bar causesy rocking of' its supporting `pivoted arms 26 and' 27 and extension 45 onv arrrry attached to the' latter rocks lever 30 couiitercloclrwise removing extension V32 fromri'dge 33 to permit the crosshead tocontinue its movement Without Vthe type bar.k The Krocking of lever? 30y incidentally forces extension 31 yint'othe appropriate notch in locking plate 34' andV the relative movement of the crosshead and: type bar causes rod" 42 to cam latch 36 into position' with its notch 40 engaging shoulder 41 on lever'j304 lthus irmlfy locking the type' bar in lposition to print from the proper type.:

After the arm 18 has movedltoithc limitl l of itsup'vvardf movement la" bail- 6 3 istripped to operate the printing hammers 15 and effectpr'inting from the type' WhichV are' opposite theplaten. A; lever 70 ispivoted on arm 13 at 72 and held bya spring 73.A The other arm of lever 7 O isy notched at 74 to cooperate With a' lever75 bearing bail 63. As the arm;`

v18'rises lever 7 0 rocks about pivot 72I and rocksk lever 75' clockwise, retract'ing bail 6535" and ,tensioningspring 80. As the crosshead spring 80 forces bail63smartly against ham- 16 appllles thevupperlimit of its'movea stopmers 151to accomplish the printing stroke."V A, `On the dovmvvardl movement of `Vcrosshead 16,` rodi first enters'groove in latch 36 v and' rocks: the' latterout of latcliing position whereupon spring 87 rocks lever 30 and withdraws extension 31 from locking plate 34. thereafter an overhanging plate 81 on crossliead 16 encounters a lug 82 on type Vbar 10 and restores it with the crosshead. 0n reaching normal home position the pawl is restored by cam surface and relatched by latch 53.

l It is customary in machines of this nature to'print the iigures from 1 to 9, inclusive, either from perforations in record cards or from the accumulators but the printing oit zerosis effected by the position of type bars to the left.` That is if any type bar has its type from 1fto 9 selected and the type bar to the right of itV has not been selected for one of these figures the latter will automatically be selected for zero. This zero printing control may be either electrical or mechanical and inthe present case it has beenv assumed that it will be done electrically. In this casca tooth for zero type position is provided on the rack 25 and the magnet 52 is energized' for zero typel selection under control of the type bars to the left. The method of this zero printing is well known and fully described in U. S. Patent No. 1,702,628, dated February 19,1929.

A modification of the invention is shown in Fig. 4, In this case the type bars 100 move only when called. The 'crosshead 116 moves upward in the mannery previously described buty the type bar 100 does not always move with it.y The pawl 151 in this case is mounted on a bracket 120 on the crosshead and a tail piece 121 on the pawl carries a pin 122 in proximity to a bar 123 mounted on pivoted arms 124 and 125. f

Thearm'ature 161 of the printing call magnet 152 is iiXed to the pivot of arm 125 so vthatwhen the magnet is energized bar 123 moves to the left and encounters a pin 122 Y to rock pawl 151 into engagement with one of theteeth of rack126 xed to type bar 100. Until the pawl 151 is 'operated in this case the type bar remains `stationary but after it isV engaged the type bar moves with the crosshead to bring the proper type opposite the platen. Owing to the different mode of operation it will be obvious that thearrangement of the type in the head must be just the reverse of that shown in the other modification. W'hen the crosshead reaches its up- Vpermost position a stop bar 127 encounters a cam surface 128 on the pawl 151 and locks the type bar positively in printing position.

Y On the return movement of the crosshead 116 a part of the latter encounters a shoulder 129 .on the type bar and positively restores it.

The invention has now been explained in severall'forms but it is obvious that many changes in the arrangement and construction of parts will readily occur to those skilled inthe art. The invention is to be limited only :1s-indicated by the scope of the following claims:

1. In a machine oi the class described, a printing element movable to a plurality of printing positions, a driving element for the same having an invariable movement, latching means for positively coupling the printing element to the driving element for varying times to position the printing element in its different printing positions and electromagnetic means controlled by diierentially timed electrical impulses for controlling the latching means to effect different durations of coupling between the printing element and its driving element.

2. In a machine of the class described, a printing element movable to a plurality of printing positions, a driving element for the same having an invariable movement, latching means for positively coupling the printing element'to the driving element for varying times to position the printing element in its diierent printing positions, yelectromagnetic means controlled by dilferentially timed electrical impulses for controlling the latching means to effect dilferent durations o coupling between the printing element and its driving element and locking means for positively retaining the printing element in position on reaching the selected printing positions.

3. In a machine of the class described, a printing element movable to a plurality of printing positions, a driving element for the same having an invariable movement, latching means for positively coupling the printing element to the driving element for varying times to position the printing element in its different printing positions, electromagnetic means controlled by diiferentially timed electrical impulses for controlling the latching means to effect different durations of coupling between the printing element and its driving element and means cooperating with said latching means when the the analyzing means for positively coupling the printing element to the driving elements for varying duration to position the print- 'ing-element according to index points on the records.

5. In a machine of the class described record feeding means for automatically feeding records one by one, analyzing means for successiifely searching index point positions l on ,records7 al printing element movable to a:y plurality of printing positions, a driving element .for thek same having an.. invariable movement, l'atchingI means. controlled by the analyzingmeans-for positively coupling the printing element to thel driving lelement for var-yingl durations togposition the printing'` element accordiiiig to .index points on the records'andl locking means for positively retain-A l ing l the printing element in position on reaching the'selected printing positions.y

6'. In amachine of the class described recor'dvfeedingfmeansfor automatically feeding records onefby one7 analyzing means for suc- 153 cessively searching index point positions on recordsn aprinting element movable toa plurality -o-fV printing positions, a drivingy elementfor'the same having aninvariable movement .flatchingv means controlled by the anazglyzingmeans for positively coupling the` printing element tc the driving. `element for varying' durations to position the printing element according to' index points on the records and inea-ns` cooperating -vvith the 25 latching meansv When; the-printing element reaches selected position for positively locking it therein'.

7 .A Iln a machine ofthe classdescribed record feeding' means fory automatically feeding ii-Jrecords one by one, analyzing means for "searching indexy point positions on records While they are in motion, a printing element movable to? aE plurality of-pri'nting positions,

a driving element for the same having an in- ?,fvariable movement.r andlatching means controlled by the analyzing mea-nsA for positively coupling the printing element to thek driving elements for varying duration to position the' printing' element according lto indexv Y 401 tjpointson the records.`

8.l Ina machine ofthe class described'iec- Y ord feeding means foi* automatically feeding records one by one,` analyzing means for searching index .pointpositions on records While they areinfmotiong-y a printing element movable to ay plurality of printing*positions,`

a driving-element for-'the same having an invariable -movement, latching means l controlled by the analyzingl means for positively 501' 'coupling the printing element to :the driving element for varying durations ytojposition the printing element accordingv tol index peintsY en theV records and locking means`v for positively retaining theprinting element in po- 155iA sition on'reaching the selected'priiitin'g posit-ions'. y Y Y f 9'.' Infa machine of the class' describedy record feeding means for automatically feeding' 1,812,2338,vr l

pling the printing elementtothe driving elenient for varying durations-to positionr the printing element according to index points on the records andmeans cooperating With the latching means when the printing element reaches-selected position for-positively locking it therein. Y

ordy feeding means for automaticallyfeeding records one by 01115,. analyzing means for searching index points on records While they Y are in motion, a printing elementand driving mechanism for-positively drivingI the same to any onelof a plurality ofprinting positions and mefans controlled by said analyzing meansaccording Vvto index points on records for fixing the extent ofv movement of said printing element: n c

` 11.- In a machine of the class described-record fe ediiig1means for automaticallyfeeding records one by. one7 analyzing means for searching indexpoints on yrecords While they are in motion', a printing elementjand driving mechanism for positively drivingthe same to' any-one ofI a plurality of@ printingl positions,- means 'controlledby the analyzing means according to index points on'records'for fixing the extentrof movement Vof said; printing elenient and means for positively-locking the printing element against movement Whenfi it i reaches its selected position.VV

l2. In a machine ofthe class described-QA record feeding means-for automatically feed'-v iiig records one by one analyzing means for searching indexpoint positions oniecords, `a printing element movable to a plurality of printing positions, a driving element-for the saine and means for positively Vcouplingthe printing element. to `the' drivingL element foi1 positive driving action thereby andy meansV controlledby the analyzingmeans for limit-` ing the 'extent of driving operation according to index points on records.

' l'sn a machineof hel class described,

Vreccrd feeding means for automatically f feeding records oneby one,' analyzingimeansV for searching index .point positions von records, a printing element movable to ar plurality 'of printing positions,a driving element for the samehaving an invariable excursion at eachV operation, coupling means forlpositively coupling the printingvelenient to the' driving element at the beginning. .ofi the' excursion of the latter. to be positively driven thereby and means controlled by the" analyz- Ving means according toindexpoints on rec- -ords for releasingsaid coupliii'gmeans:

"14; In a machine of the'cl'ass'described', recordffeeding means for automatically feeding Yrecords one 'by one', analyzing means' for' searching index points'on record'sg-aA printing element movable to a plurality of printing positions, a driving element for the same having anv` invariableexcursion at eachoperation, coupling means for positively coulO. In a machine of the class describe direc-A pling the printing element to the driving element at the beginning of the excursion ofthe latter to be positively driven thereby, means controlled by the analyzing inea-ns acoording to index points on the records for releasing said coupling means and means for positively latohing the printing element immediately upon release of said coupling .rneansl In testimony whereof I hereto ailiX my signature.

JAMES W. BRYCE. 

